How I’m Giving my Wellness Routines a Spring Cleaning

Spring is officially here, making way for more daylight, warmer weather, and spring cleaning. While normally, our home is top of mind and gets alllllll the attention in the spring when it comes to cleaning (if you’re like me, you’ve already purged your closet of winter clothes and organized your hall closet), there is another area in our lives I thought could use a refresh with the change in seasons: our wellness routines.

Just like we declutter our space when we transition from winter to spring, we can refresh our routines! Maybe the New Year’s resolutions luster has faded, maybe you need some fresh motivation before summertime comes, or maybe you’re ready to bloom and become your very best self this spring.

With some simple, yet effective tweaks (I live for simple sustainable changes)—from how you move your body to how you manage your schedule–you’ll be well on your way to blooming into a more beautiful, healthier version of yourself. Keep reading for tips on how to spring-clean every category of your wellness routine for a fresh start to the new season:

To spring clean your workouts…

The first thing to upgrade is how you’re working out. No matter your workout preferences, you can always challenge yourself to something new to avoid getting into a workout rut. Review your current routine and what’s serving you (what workouts do you look forward to, or what helps you stay consistent?) and then what’s not serving you (what workouts are trying to avoid, or what mindsets are holding you back?). I found lately when I listened to podcasts when I workout, I would get sucked into the story and I’m not quite as effective in the gym. So I switched back to listening to my workout playlist on Spotify, and I can tell a difference in my results at the gym! The new season is also the perfect time to try something new to avoid boredom (and the proverbial plateauing). Try a totally new workout class, add a new piece of equipment to change it up, or even just take a different route on your hot girl hikes.

Also, controversial take–that overstretched washed out sports bra you’ve been holding on to for way too long? Your best beautiful self would never. I firmly believe that the outfit you wear to work out can make the difference between a great and not-so-great workout, so take the time now to toss or donate any workout clothes that have lost their shape/color and invest in pieces that fit you and inspire you to show up at the gym.

To spring clean your diet…

When I’m in hibernation mode during the winter, all I crave is comfort food and heartier meals, but with the season change, I’m more interested in fresher and lighter food. This spring I’m focused on eating intuitively and on season. Where did I start? Our fridge, freezer, and pantry. I tossed out any expired goods and foods that maybe didn’t make me feel my best (hello Oreos). Then I restocked our kitchen with seasonal foods that sounded yummy (asparagus, arugula, mint, strawberries, fresh carrots, and leafy greens). We joined a farming co-op so an added bonus for us–we always have access to local in-season produce!

Don’t forget the “self” part in self-care: Review your self-care habits and ask yourself if they serve you or if you’re doing them just because Alix Earle said it was cool. (No shade to Alix, love her, but I gotta do me). If every practice is not truly taking care of you, it might be time to shake up your routine. Start a new morning ritual, try habit stacking, or try a virtual therapy session online. I feel like self-care is deeply personal and it truly doesn’t have to be extravagant. It can be a simple daily practice or something you do occasionally, like taking a bath using the good bath oils, buying yourself a new book, taking a day off of work to do absolutely nothing, or staying in for the night and ordering Ramen.

Whatever self-care looks like for you, it will fluctuate every day depending on your headspace. For me, working out and walking Jack are my non-negotiable modes of self-care and I carve out time each day for it. But some days, I may wake up and not feel it–taking a nap or getting together with friends may actually care for me in a much more fulfilling way. I’m comfortable adjusting my self care for what I need most and avoid letting myself fall into the guilt-trip trap. Remember do what you can in the season you’re in—literally and figuratively.

To spring clean your beauty…

Spring is a great opportunity to give your beauty routine a glow up. Leaving your makeup past its expiration date is a super bad habit. So many people keep their makeup way past their expiration dates. The problem is that makeup and skin care products tend to expire and the longer you keep them the bigger the chance is for gross bacteria buildup and breakouts. Also, friendly reminder–if you’re not using products, throw them out! Be honest with yourself and invest in products that work for you and your skin.

Something else you can do to give your skin some love this spring? WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES!!! Makeup brushes and sponges build up large amounts of bacteria and grime with each use. This means that the less you wash them, the more bacteria is heading straight for your face. If you’re using brushes daily start by washing them at the end of the week. Try keeping a weekly schedule and investing in a brush cleaner device to save time. Your skin will thank you for it!

To spring clean your tech…

Every time I see my weekly screen time pop up on my phone, I cringe a little bit (but I have gotten better, I promise!!!). Between Zoom calls for work, Instagram scrolling, and exploring Pinterest in the search for home reno ideas, it’s no surprise that I (read we) spend more time on our phones than ever, but spring presents the perfect opportunity for a mini digital detox. First things first, delete any unused apps (I was shocked by how many I had) or apps that tend to drag you into hours of unproductive distraction. Edit and refine the accounts you’re following on social media and hit “unfollow” on each one that doesn’t inspire you. Unsubscribe from emails and newsletters that just eat up your time (this hack is EVERYTHING), and keep your news intake to a few minutes a day. The idea is to free up some digital (and mental) capacity.

This spring, I’m trying to focus more on what’s IRL: the lemony sweet sunshine air, my best friends on our hot girl hikes, and the work that I’m passionate about for the brand.

To spring clean your calendar…

I don’t know about you but I tend to……overcommit. Call it FOMO, I guess? With warmer days peeking out over the horizon, you may be like me and want to pack your calendar with every single social event of the season. But I think it’s important to think about whether you’re spreading yourself too thin with too many commitments.

Are you saying “yes” to engagements out of obligation? Instead of saying yes to those engagements, maybe you could be doing more of what brings you joy. Audit your current schedule or calendar and make note of the things that restore your energy (a workout, a yoga session, a coffee date with a friend, volunteering at the animal shelter), and then make note of the things that deplete your energy (happy hour with your partner’s boss, that meeting for the volunteer project you told your neighbor you’d help with but have absolutely no time for). Do what you can to limit the things that deplete your energy to make more time for what lights your heart on fire.

Pro Tip: Use this spring season to take a step back and look at your energy-vampires versus valuable to-dos.